Former Alabama A&M professor sues school over wrongful termination

Regina Colston, shown in a 2007 photo, has filed a lawsuit against Alabama A&M University for wrongful termination. (The Huntsville Times file photo)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- A former Alabama A&M University professor,
alleging she was fired earlier this year for criticizing the school's
administration and its board of trustees, has sued the school for
wrongful termination.

Regina Colston filed the suit Wednesday in
Madison County circuit court through her attorneys, Robert Lockwood and
Patricia Prather.

According to a letter included with the suit,
Colston was fired by Alabama A&M President Andrew Hugine on June 24.
No reason was given for the termination in the letter.

Colston
also served on the Alabama Education Association (AEA) board of
directors for seven years, according to the suit, and is a former
president of the Alabama A&M Education Association.

Colston
maintained in the suit that her criticisms of the Alabama A&M
administration and board of trustees were made "as a citizen on matters
of public concern."

"None of Colston's speech was part of her official duties as an assistant professor," the suit states.

In
the lawsuit, Colston claimed she is a tenured professor and that a
grievance committee gave her a "favorable" ruling. The grievance
committee, in a letter included with the suit, found evidence that
"suggest you are tenured." The committee also advised Alabama A&M to
review the evidence that supported Colston's claim to tenure.

Alabama
A&M, in an exhibit attached to the lawsuit, contended in a letter
from interim vice president of student affairs Jeffery Burgin there is
no record of Colston having even applied for tenured status.

In addition to the school, the lawsuit also names as defendants President Andrew Hugine as well as the board of trustees.